Pet Insurance: How To Help Your Pets Live Their Best Lives
The only bad thing we could ever say about our beloved pets is that they just don’t get to stay with us for as long as we’d wish. And while that’s true, there are things we can do to ensure their time with us is quality, and that we have them for as long as we can! Knowing how to take care of our pets better can make a big difference in the time they have with us, and making sure we’re able to take care of them well includes the best pet insurance plans for their needs.
We love our pets; they’re part of our family. As such, we want to do all we can to make sure they stay just as healthy and happy as possible. Being a pet parent means taking responsibility for the life of another creature, and these tips will help make sure your furry (or feathered or finned) friends live their best lives every day.
1. Make them known with proper ID. There’s nothing worse than seeing a little furry friend on the side of the road, lost and lonely and no identification. A safe collar and identification tag, as well as microchipping (because collars fall off) can mean that someone will always be able to reunite you and your pet if they somehow dash out the door. Remember to update information on the ID and microchip as it changes.
2. Feed them well. Gone are the days where people think that what we put into pet food doesn’t really matter because they’re ‘just a…dog/cat/iguana…’ with guts of steel. While it’s true that our pets ‘guts are pretty hearty, they’re also the center of a pets’ health universe (just like in humans). Like in humans, feeding them the right food fuels them, and you want to make sure that you choose the best food for their breed, activity level, health conditions, and needs.
3. Party On—Socialization and training matter. They really do. When you have a pet, you need to make sure that they’re properly trained and socialized so they can live their best lives. Pets who have structure and routine tend to thrive; they love pleasing their parents. Training can go a long way toward the bond between you and your pet, and socialization is key for your pet (and you) to enjoy playdates and interaction with others. The happier your pet is, the happier you are, and training and socialization go a long way in those efforts.
4. Spay or Neuter for their health. While there is some debate on the proper time to do so in dogs and cats, most veterinarians agree that spaying or neutering your pets can eliminate many potential health problems. Spaying or neutering will often reduce aggression in both cats and dogs. It also can help prevent certain cancers or needs for gynecological surgeries. Additionally, though for cats and dogs particularly, if something should happen and they accidentally become pregnant (or impregnate), we have more unplanned pregnancy issues. It’s not as common to spay or neuter horses or birds, but many vets will suggest you do so for many female reptilian pets for similar reasons you would cats or dogs.
5. Exercise them. No, your pet gecko is probably not going to be catching any frisbees you throw, but they need exercise too. Pets require physical activity to keep their bodies looking buff, and while that may look different in each pet, exercise is a key way to keeping their bodies in shape for staying with you for the long haul. Plus, exercise for pets usually involves us, their humans, and that just means we get more quality time with them.
6. Find and Friend a Veterinarian. Our pets simply don’t live as long as we do. Even pets with longer lifespans will still most likely cross the Rainbow Bridge before we do, and taking them to the veterinarian for regular checkups at least once or twice a year is a must-do. The veterinarian will be able to assess and watch any issues that may shorten their lifespans, and they’ll also be able to simply keep them healthy in their day-to-day lives. Your veterinarian will be the one to talk to you about important immunizations and vaccinations that will keep them safe from life-impacting diseases, as well as the ones who continue to treat them as they move into their senior days with senior needs. The veterinarian is to our pets as the pediatrician is to human children, and they’re often the first ones to know there’s something we need to do to keep our pets in tip-top shape.
7. Put Pet Insurance In Place. We just can’t stress this enough. The sad reality of pet parenting is that health decisions for your pet all too often come down to whether or not you can afford to make the one that’s in the best interest of your pet. No pet parent ever wants to have to decide between treating for hip dysplasia or euthanasia because their pet’s pain is so bad. Veterinary care is necessary, but depending on your pet’s condition, the average vet bill can range from $500-$3000. Accidents happen to our pets too, and the last thing you want in a traumatic situation of worry is to think about how you’ll pay for whatever your pet needs to be healthy again.
How Can You Find The Best Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance acts in similar ways to human insurance, but with a few differences. Like humans, you apply to a pet insurance company and look into what kind of coverage and plans they can offer your pet based on age, health, and more. Most pet insurance companies have a handful of available plans, from basic to premium, and you’ll pay different tier levels for those plans based on what you choose.
Typically, you want to find an insurance plan that covers injury, illness and accidents. Some pet parents like pet insurance plans that also include payouts for preventative/wellness issues like annual checkups, bloodwork and vaccination. You can look through the different coverage options to see what best fits your budget, and then you’ll typically be responsible for a monthly premium to maintain coverage.
The thing is, there are several different pet insurance companies and plans out there. It’s hard to go back and forth looking at coverages, pricing and so forth. That’s why we love BestPetInsurance.com. It’s a fantastic comparison website that does all the hard work of comparing pet insurance plans for you. They help pet parents find the right insurance plans for their unique needs, and give you some reference for specific issues as well. They know that having a pet insurance policy in place for your cat, dog, bird or hamster, even, means that you’re ensuring your pet’s longevity and health and they help you do so with concise comparison options and information. On their comprehensive site, you can look at the reviews for several mainstream pet insurance providers and quickly and easily decide which plans would fit your needs.
No one ever wants to lose their best friend because they couldn’t afford to keep them alive, and pet insurance is the way to make sure that never happens. Bestpetinsurance.com lets you find the best pet insurance for your pets, and that means they help your pets live their best lives too.
More by Lori Ennis